Leading Literacy

Leslie & Mara
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Leading Literacy is a podcast co-hosted by Leslie Zoroya, Project Director III of Reading Language Arts, and Mara Shinn Smith, Coordinator I, at the Los Angeles County Office of Education. Join Leslie & Mara as they engage in literacy conversations that both inspire and instruct.

  1. 10/24/2025

    Inside The Reading League's Compass Resource with Kari Kurto

    On this episode of Leading Literacy, we're joined by the incredible Kari Kurto. She's the National Science of Reading Project Director at The Reading League, and honestly, just an all-around amazing human. Her passion and energy for this work is palpable. You're going to love hearing about The Reading League's Compass resource tool — it's packed with resources for all kinds of different stakeholders.  So, sit back and enjoy this conversation with our friend and colleague, Kari Kurto. Want more? Join The Reading League California chapter to find out more about state-specific events, literacy-related legislation, and continue to build your knowledge with other like-minded educators.  To learn more about LACOE's upcoming professional learning opportunities and resources, visit LACOE's Reading/Language Arts page for direct links.

    50 min
  2. More than Reading: Highlighting 50 Years of Joan Sedita's Work as an Educator

    09/15/2025

    More than Reading: Highlighting 50 Years of Joan Sedita's Work as an Educator

    We spend a lot of time on Leading Literacy talking about reading, and for this episode we are going to switch things up and focus in on writing. We're fortunate to have Joan Sedita, author of The Writing Rope here with us to talk about her book and some of her other amazing projects, like Keys to Literacy, as well as what she's learned from 50 years as an educator! Enjoy this fun conversation with the incredible Joan Sedita. To learn more about our upcoming book study on Joan Sedita's book, The Writing Rope, and our other professional learning opportunities and resources, visit LACOE's Reading/Language Arts page for direct links.

    47 min
  3. Building Better Teachers in California with Univ. of La Verne Professors Drs. Nancy Walker and Shana Matamala

    04/10/2025

    Building Better Teachers in California with Univ. of La Verne Professors Drs. Nancy Walker and Shana Matamala

    ​​Hello Leading Literacy friends!  As you know, Institutes of High Ed. play an important role in making the instructional shift from balanced to structured literacy with educators.  On today's episode, we talk with Nancy Walker and Shana Matamala from LaFetra College of Education at the University of La Verne, the only A-rated teacher education program for literacy in the state.  This conversation is so important, and we know you'll find it interesting to see how ULV made the switch from balanced to structured literacy within their own ranks to help teachers be better prepared in the field.  Enjoy this golden episode!

    38 min
  4. Tami Wilson - California's Dyslexia & Literacy Advocate

    03/03/2025

    Tami Wilson - California's Dyslexia & Literacy Advocate

    On this episode Leading Literacy, we welcome Tami Wilson, Director of Development and Training at the Sacramento County Office of Education and lead of the California Dyslexia Initiative. Tami has been a driving force in California's shift from balanced to structured literacy instruction and a long-time literacy advocate and warrior. Tami is an incredible friend, colleague, and leader and we're so excited for this conversation around her dyslexia work and California's new Risk of Reading Difficulties Screener. So, sit back and enjoy. Below are the websites mentioned in this episode with Tami: CA Dyslexia Initiative Professional Learning UC|CSU Collaborative for Neurodiversity and Learning – in the future, these resources will also be housed on Arraya Learning.

    51 min
  5. Lessons from Lancaster School District

    01/23/2025

    Lessons from Lancaster School District

    Welcome to Leading Literacy!  In this episode, we are thrilled to have a conversation with three incredible leaders from the Lancaster School District in Lancaster, California.  We partnered with Lancaster for three years on the $5 million dollar California State Literacy Development (CLSD) Grant.  We worked with four school sites who made the switch from balanced to structured literacy.  This district had every reason to give up and they did not!  If you're looking for change and inspiration to bring structured literacy to your district, this episode is a must-listen.  Learn the ins and outs of this work and be inspired by their story of triumph over adversity in reading instruction!   Click HERE to watch a highlight reel about the impact of the CLSD Grant with Lancaster's grant schools.

    1h 5m
  6. Jasmine Rogers

    10/02/2024

    Jasmine Rogers

    Hey there, educator friends!  On this episode of Leading Literacy, we can't wait for you to get to know Dr. Jasmine Rogers.  Dr. Rogers is from the Washington D.C. area where she is professor at American University and supports teachers at the  D.C. Reading Clinic.  If that's not enough, she also co-authored the NAACP Discussion Guide for "The Right to Read" documentary.  Learn how Dr. Rogers is committed to sharing her knowledge about Black language and how she "can't stop, won't stop."  Enjoy! Click HERE to access the resources Dr. Rogers references in this episode.

    53 min
  7. Scott Valley Unified Educators: Hannah Shickle and Tana Piersall

    08/27/2024

    Scott Valley Unified Educators: Hannah Shickle and Tana Piersall

    Hello educator friends!  On this episode of Leading Literacy we're diving back into the secondary world to talk with teacher, Hannah Shickle and school administrator, Tana Piersall from Scott Valley Unified School District in Northern California. They're doing amazing work in structured literacy which helped move the needle for their middle school students.  Subsequently, their whole district is learning from them and how to begin this work at the district level.  These two ladies are incredible!  Please enjoy this fun episode with Hannah and Tana.    If Hannah and Tana's story sounds familiar, it's because they were also featured guests on one of our Lessons from the Field webinars.  Want to revisit their webinar?  Check it out here.   And if you're interested in Chartwell Schools, head over to their website for more information.

    1h 7m
  8. Denise Eide

    08/13/2024

    Denise Eide

    Welcome back, educator friends.  We're super excited about this episode with Denise Eide, author of the book, Uncovering the Logic of English: A Common Sense Approach to Reading, Spelling, and Literacy. We love this conversation because it centers on this notion of curiosity and how if we ignite curiosity in both teachers and students about how English works, we can really love both the teaching and learning of how to read.  Buckle up, y'all!  This is a great episode! Be sure to check out the Logic of English website that has some amazing FREE resources!  (We all know how us teacher-types love anything that's F-R-E-E!)

    57 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.3
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

Leading Literacy is a podcast co-hosted by Leslie Zoroya, Project Director III of Reading Language Arts, and Mara Shinn Smith, Coordinator I, at the Los Angeles County Office of Education. Join Leslie & Mara as they engage in literacy conversations that both inspire and instruct.

Information

  • Creator
    Leslie & Mara
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    55
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Leading Literacy Podcast 2021
  • Show Website
    Leading Literacy

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